Saturday, June 12, 2010

Sotajumala: Kuolemanpalvelus (2010) Review

Sotajumala (Finnish for "wargod") is a death metal band from Finland. I've had their 2004 debut Death Metal Finland for quite a while now, so when I saw their new release Kuolemanpalvelus had come out, I jumped on it immediately.

The band does nothing high-brow, and they don't do melodic, technical, progressive, or any other evolved death metal. This is very straightforward, early Florida-style death metal, with emphasis on crunchy riffs over anything else. Only two things set them apart: 1) Finnish lyrics, and 2) a guitar tone with a slightly industrial flavor.

Compared to their debut, little has changed. The drumming and lead guitar are improved, and the production is much cleaner. Highlights of the album include "Sokeus" (mostly for the solos), the slower tempo "Luut Sinusta Muistattaen", and the killer "Paratiisin Kutsu".

There are a few missteps along the way, notably the awkward tempo change on opener "Syvyydessä" and the disconcertingly abrupt ending to the album. But overall, it's a very enjoyable listen.

The Verdict: It's simple, old-school death metal, and sometimes that's a good thing. It's not perfect, but it sounds good and holds your attention. What more could you want? I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer

All opinions expressed herein are solely my own, and do not reflect the opinions of my current or former employers, or any other person or entity with which I am or have been affiliated.

Nothing in this blog is intended as legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. All legal discussions are strictly informative, not advisory, and accuracy of the information is not subject to any warranty, express or implied. If you choose to rely on such information, you do so completely at your own risk. If you believe you may have a legal issue, an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction can provide legal advice which will take into account your own unique circumstances and the applicable law.